Hi Billy!

PZ: Where does your name "Ant-Bee" comes from?
ANT-BEE: The name ANT-BEE was derived from the song "ANT-MAN-BEE" off the album Trout Mask Replica by Capt. Beefheart - which is a musically innovative and pioneering record, not to mention a huge inspiration on my work. Also, there was a TV show in America in the early '60s called The Andy Griffith Show (ever heard of it?) and it was about a small town in North Carolina (I grew up in NC) and featured a motherly Auntie by the name of Aunt Bee - so it's a bit of a satirical stab at that - sort of.

PZ: You are recording with a lot of musicians that have played with FZ, tell us some of your recordings with them?
ANT-BEE: I began recording with ex-Zappa and ex-Mothers members in the early '80s. I appeared on Steve Vai's Flex-Able, and then recorded a wonderful record with Bob Harris called the Great Nostalgia, which I hope will be released on CD one day. In the early 1990's whilst recording my second ANT-BEE album, I linked up with Bunk Gardner and Don Preston out in L.A. - we did some filming and recordings together and in turn I have worked with them for 10 years now - Bunk and Don are truly gifted artists and dear friends! I also through Bunk and Don linked and recorded with Jimmy Carl Black, Motorhead Sherwood and Roy Estrada (all of whom appear on my third ANT-BEE album "Lunar Muzik"). Likewise, Bunk and Don, along with one of my all time favorite vocalists, Napoleon Murphy Brock, will be appearing on my fourth album Electronic Church Muzik, which is my homage to GOD!

PZ: Do you tour with a band right now?
ANT-BEE: At present I am too busy writing my books. I have a book just released I have written with Peter Banks of YES (Beyond And Before) about their early days, and a book on Todd Rundgren coming out next month (A Dream Goes On Forever) - both books are available from Golden Treasures Publishing at: www.goldentreasurespublishing.com
I'm also finishing a book about Badfinger with original member Joey Molland. As well, I am also recording my 4th ANT-BEE album, which is taking up the rest of my time at present.

PZ: Is it possible to see you at any time in Europe?
ANT-BEE: Not unless someone finances me to perform or make an appearance there.

PZ: Where can we order your records?
ANT-BEE: All my muzik is available from the ANT-BEE Web Bizarre: www.ant-bee.com.
There are a lot of rarities available for ANT-BEE, Grandmothers and ex-Alice Cooper members freaks. Also all my books are available through my site - personally signed by me.

PZ: Can you tell us some of your influences?
ANT-BEE: Zappa, Beatles, YES, Capt. Beefheart, Popol Vuh, GONG, Alice Cooper, Grand Funk, John McLaughlin, Todd Rundgren, XTC, Be Bop Deluxe, T.Rex, Bowie, Miles Davis, Pharoah Sanders, Beach Boys, Who, Badfinger, Fripp. Eno, Stravinsky, Le Orme, Flo & Eddie, Monkees, Focus, Weather Report, and many, many more

PZ: What instrument is your number one?
ANT-BEE: My primary instrument is drums and percussion and voice - but I dabble in other instrumentation.

PZ: If you would be chosen to pick a favorite band to record with you, how would the line-up look like?
ANT-BEE: Bunk, Don, Bob Harris, Rockette Morton, Napoleon, Peter Banks and drumbo - I would conduct, sing and play drums. - This would be an obtaiable band if I were inclined to tour and financed to do so.  

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Interview by: PlanetZappa.com
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